Home
Maintenance Checklist
Maintaining
your house is like maintaining your car. If you don't do it, it will
break down. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. The majority
of the defects we find during home inspections are easily prevented with
minor regular maintenance. These defects frequently end up costing
hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Don't let yourself or your
client fall into this trap. The checklist below will help you prevent
costly repairs in the future. Most of these items take no more than a
few minutes and very little money.
Monthly
•
Test smoke alarms throughout the house.
•
Inspect the fireplace (during cold
weather) for creosote buildup.
•
Routinely inspect all waste lines, traps, and
supplies.
•
Fill any floor drains and unused sinks, tubs, etc.
with water. This will fill the trap and prevent sewer gas from entering
house.
Quarterly
•
Trim bushes, trees and roots away from foundation,
siding and roof
•
Check asphalt driveways and re-seal or re-surface
as necessary.
•
Peroxide in the condensate tray, drain line and
pump can help prevent bacteria and algae from thriving (approximately a
cap full in each section)
•
Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
(with smoke)
Before Summer
•
Scrape and re-paint any exposed wood and caulk
around trim and windows.
•
Power wash condenser unit to air conditioning unit
•
Verify that power fan is operational in the attic
Before
Rainy Season
•
Check for proper drainage of water away from house
•
Check and clean rain gutters
•
Inspect roof vents and flashings for proper seal.
Re-seal if necessary
•
Check condition of roofing material for wear and
deterioration. Replace and necessary.
•
Scrape and re-paint any exposed wood and caulk
around trim and windows.
•
Check sump pump (if applicable) for proper
operation. Peroxide can help keep bacteria from thriving.
•
Check for leaks in attic, especially around
chimneys, valleys, skylights and other roof penetrations.
•
Replace failing weather stripping.
•
Replace worn door sweeps.
•
Repair condensation damage.
•
Replace failing glazing putty.
Twice A Year
•
Look for any burned receptacles.
•
Test all Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
•
Clean or replace HVAC filter
•
Check garage door automatic safety return for
proper operation
Yearly
•
Check stair railings for stability.
•
Inspect decks for loose hardware, damaged or
exposed wood.
•
Service and clean any component that burns
fuel.
• Natural gas or propane fired
forced air furnace
• Natural gas wall heater
• Wood stove
• Fireplace
• Chimneys, flues and chimney
caps.
•
Drain the hot water heater (turn off first) and
refill (to remove sediment from bottom of tank)
•
Caulk around tub and shower fixtures to prevent
water damage to the wall.
•
Look at the condition of ventilation screens in
attic for any animal nesting.
•
Check that electrical junction boxes in attic are
covered properly and not covered with insulation.
•
Check for signs of rodent and termite droppings in
attic and crawlspace.
•
Check for moisture and signs of plumbing leaks in
crawlspace.
•
Repair broken seals in insulated glass pains
(trapped moisture).
•
Replace cracked glass.
Call
to Order Your Home Inspection Today!
(626) 915-7158
